Gault

 Our museum has established a relationship with the Gault School* and provides a field trip to the "dig" every other month. One must sign up long in advance, sign a release, and prepare for a 1.5 mile (or so) hike in a rocky rural area. We figured we were up to it and that it would be something to consider for an adventure with the nephew.

So we "geared up" and met with BC for an early breakfast and headed south.

Our guide was the executive director of the school, Dr. Clark Wernecke (and the guy is a great guide - he tells a good story). We listened to Dr. Wernecke and read the signs describing different digs and items of interest. Of course, I started noticing unfamiliar wildflowers, familiar trees, spring-fed creeks and a few creatures (some wild, some not) wandering around**. All the while we walked across the remains of early civilizations - the chips of chert*** - some flakes and some worked tools - could be seen all around us.

I loved it all...the time spent with friends, the beautiful day, my understanding of ancient man turned upside down. It was a great Saturday morning.

Here are a few of the sights and sites. I took many more photos than are posted here. [I am tired of fighting the download. I may add more when my patience returns. You are missing the bluebonnets, the bur oak and a few other things. I believe a few dewberry bushes were blooming as well.]:

Differing permeability of limestone ledges explains where the water is and where it goes. Chert nodules noted.

Clark describes the discovery of an early foundation - earliest house in North America? Pre-Clovis!? (This one is out of order,  but I have fought to post any photos)

Explanation of the layers of the dig.

Small dig

The big dig - will be filled in during June. This pit is huge. And unseen in this photo is the water running below the plywood platform. They have pumps going constantly, but the trees are now helping.

Visitors listening to the explanation of the big dig.

BC waiting...no shade on much of this walk.

DH

Worked chert and flakes on top of the mound of worked stone.

Yes, this is a "guard longhorn"

Spring-fed creek

Thistles already blooming.

Love the variegated foliage of this thistle

Prickly pear covered in buds.

Close-up of prickly pear buds

NOTES:


*http://www.gaultschool.org/Home.aspx

** We saw and heard wild turkey. A few longhorns wandered. Pecan, walnut, and oak shaded the valley.

*** http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chert

[All photos taken with a Samsung smart phone of some kind. My old camera stopped - dead battery-  after a couple of photos. I have needed better quality photos for some time and I am trying another pocket camera on the next few walks.]